A woman fleeing her past finds more than she bargains for in a new romantic suspense series by New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank.A woman on the run with no one to trust.With the ink barely dry on her new identity, Carly Moore just wants to disappear…but fate has other plans. Broken down car, next to nothing in her bank account, Carly is … nothing in her bank account, Carly is stuck in a Smoky Mountain town that time has forgotten. Drum is riddled with secrets and outsiders are eyed with distrust. Still, it isn’t until she witnesses a cold-blooded murder in a darkened parking lot, that she realizes she’s escaped one nightmare, only to land in another.
As the clock ticks down and more bodies pile up, Carly doesn’t know who to trust. If she doesn’t stop the killers, they just might stop her…permanently.
Books in the Carly Moore series:
A Cry in the Dark
Her Scream in the Silence
One Foot in the Grave
more
I’ve been anticipating this book ever since I found out Carly was getting her own series and it did not disappoint. I loved getting to be in Carly’s head and witness her transformation. I was sucked in and captivated from the very beginning; only putting the book down to sleep since I couldn’t focus anymore. It’s got everything I love in a book: romance, mystery, suspense and friendship. Denise has a way a weaving a story that keeps you turning the pages and just when you think you have it figured out, she throws in a twist that you didn’t see coming. I’m looking forward to getting to know more about Wyatt, Max, Ruth, Hank, Tiny, etc., as they all take Carly in and include her as one of their own. Don’t wait another minute to pick it up, get it now and find out for yourself how great it is.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
A breathtaking start to an amazing series!
Since this is a Denise Grover Swank book, I was expecting the great writing and amazing storyline that she always provides and I got all of that but even more than I expected! I really liked Carly Moore in the Rose Gardner Investigation series and I loved learning more about her in this book. I’m very excited that she will be having her own series and I liked knowing her from Rose’s series but it’s not necessary to read that to start this series. A Cry in the Dark makes it easy to start here and not feel like you’re missing any information. Not only is the writing and characters amazing, but the mystery aspect is so great as always and there were things I definitely did not see coming. A Cry in the Dark is a jaw-dropping and fantastic book and I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series.
First, let me say that I am a huge fan of the Rose Gardner Series… So when Denise announced that she was creating a spin-off for Carly I was super excited! I was hooked from the very first sentence. Denise writes with such intensity that I found myself not being able to put the book down and reading very late. I fell asleep while reading and wound up waking from a dream where I was in Drum with Carly, Wyatt, Max, Ruth and the bad guys. I tried guessing who committed the crime that Carly witnesses but, surprisingly, I was totally wrong. So well written!! Thanks for another fabulous read, Denise! I can’t wait for book 2. Side note: If you have read the Rose books, you will love this series. It is truly independent of any other series but there are a few references to the Rose books.
I absolutely LOVE Carly….
Loved her while she lived with Rose Gardner, but Love her even more out on her own.
And can I just say, that having Wyatt and Max two HOT brothers protecting her, is not a bad thing.
I knew she has a tough road ahead of her, but I think her new friends are up for the challenge to help her through it….
Can’t wait for book 2!
This book was exactly what I needed! I’ve been disappointed in some books I read this year, but this did not disappoint. In fact, it was even better than I expected.
Carly is on the run from her father when her car breaks down outside Drum, Tennessee. While waiting for her car to get fixed, she meets a town full of people and witnesses a murder. All the characters felt real and honestly “small town” (in a good way).
I really like Denise Grover Swank’s romantic mysteries. I’ve read all of the Rose books, The Neely Kate books, Magnolia Steele and Summer Butler. I should not be surprised at how much I liked this book, but I am.
Also, I did not expect it to be the murderer to be who it was! It was a complete surprise and I liked it.
I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series. March can’t come soon enough!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate that the author has given us another amazing female character to read about?!? I had my doubts that this series would be as much fun as the Rose books, but the way the first one was done has me hooked.
A little murder, a little mystery, and a whole town of new people to meet and learn about…sign me up!
One of the best things is that even having read all the other books in both of the Rose series I really truly believe that anyone can pick this book up and enjoy it. Things are explained just right for a newbie, but those who have fallen into the Rose books by DGS will eat the little odds and ends that pop up from them in this story.
Such an awesome first book. Firstly if you haven’t read the rose gardener or neely kate series I suggest you start with that. Even though it is not a must, you only miss out on an amazing series and find out Carlys back story regarding her family and why she is on the run. Carly features in Rose’s book and now has her own. I was always intrigued with her story and wanted to know more. I fell in love with her straight away with this book. I feel for her so much through out, and hope the whole time for her to settle down. So much happens it’s hard to put the book down. I look forward to where this goes from here and hopefully more of the series to come.
Denise Grover Swank creates characters that we love, hate, fear, and lust. These characters brought it all, from beginning to end! Carly is going to be a fan favorite… You can’t help but love her! No other author can bring characters and places to life like Denise! Carly feels like an old friend
*******3.75 Stars*****
A Cry in the Dark is a solid first book in a brand new mystery series. This book is fast-paced and full of action! There is never a dull moment and the author does a great job of keeping you on your toes.
Carly Moore is on the run from her past when she finds herself in a little Tennesse town of Drum and she quickly realizes she may have jumped from one frying pan into another. The drum is a small mountain town that doesn’t take kindly to strangers and has more secrets then Fort Knox.
The author creates a wonderfully suspicious town full of dangerous and morally grey characters. Nothing is black and white in Drum and it’s every man for themselves. I don’t really trust any of them as I feel they all have their own agenda. it’s going to be great fun to see how these stories unravel and how they all intertwine. Carly better watches her back because I have a feeling she is going to be in for a few betrayals in her life.
The only thing that didn’t work for me was the romance. It fell flat and lacked chemistry. For me, it was all two fast I like Carly’s beau but I wanted more room for it to grow and develop but a pair off happen.
******Author provided a review copy******
This is the first book in the new spin off series from the Rose Gardener series. Carly has been on the run for months. She found safety with Rose for a bit, but she had to run again. That’s where this book starts. With plenty of drama Carly’s story is pretty fantastic. I’m giving it four stars because I wanted more chemistry between the main characters. The characters are fantastic. Hank stole my heart.
Hooked me at the first sentence.
What I love the most about this book is that it is unpredictable. Most stories you know what will happen in the end, this one has surprises and suspense throughout. This was an amazing book and I plan to read it over again since I enjoyed it that much.
Carly is on her way to where she feels she can start a new life with her hidden secrets. Only on her way she is stranded in a small town in Tennessee which has secrets of it’s own. Big ones.
Wyatt is a handsome, brooding, mysterious man. With everyone in the close nit town, You are not sure who can you can trust and who is dangerous. Hanging on the edge with every turn of the page.
You won’t be disappointed with “A Cry in the Dark”.
I enjoyed the book. Surprised to find out what happened to the gun and car alarm, can’t wait for the next book.
I have many of this authors books and I definitely like her writing. Her protagonist and characters are great. This book had several different characters and at times difficult follow. Overall I recommend it.
The author has a captivating style of describing characters, demeanour and sceneries. A gripping thriller I found hard to put down, a very good read..
A Cry in the Dark is book one in the Carly Moore series by Denise Grover Swank. I’ve been wanting to start this series for some time now. I suspected and was right that I was going to love it and now that I’ve just a few minutes ago read the last page, I think that is an understatement. This…book…is…AMAZING!
Carly Moore is thirty one years old and is on the run. I don’t want to tell you much about why, only that it’s imperative to her continued life! She’s in an old clunker car which has just given out on her while enjoying the view at an overlook in the mountains. Her rescue lands her in a town that time seems to have forgotten. The tiny mountain town of Drum. Barely any internet, no cell service, it’s a town that’s clearly seen better days. All Carly wants is to get her car fixed and get back on the road. But fate has other plans for her.
“You’re a bundle of surprises, Carly Moore. I’m gonna like havin’ you around.”
While Carly waits for her car to be repaired she is offered to do some temporary waitressing at the local bar and restaurant owned by Max Drummond. It’s Max’s brother Wyatt, who rescued her in his tow truck. And it’s Wyatt that’s waking up her heart more than she is comfortable with. Because Carly can’t afford to let her heart wake up. She needs to get her car fixed and hit the road.
Only, the town of Drum has other plans. Carly witnesses something awful which puts her right in the middle of a very dark set of events. Events that threaten her own safety and the safety of the few people that have been kind to her since she arrived.
This book had me turning the pages as fast as my eyes could read the words. Carly is such a strong woman and faces each threat head on, nose to nose. The Drummond brothers are wonderful, even though it doesn’t seem they turned out that way from their father’s parenting. I liked one in particular but I don’t want to share that with you. Carly has so much on her shoulders but she tackles each thing and just keeps on each day. She’s loyal, hard working and has such a huge heart.
“I think we both deserve a little happiness, don’t you? I’d like to find my happiness with you.”
“I want to find it with you too.”
This is a suspenseful but also sweet story with characters you will love and be cheering for and some others that you will want to squish like a bug! Clearly I have strong feelings about these characters. I will soon be jumping into the next book in the series, Her Scream in the Silence. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Carly Moore.
A Cry in the Dark was never a long, drawn out story. Carly Moore is on the run from a doomed marriage. Her father is a powerful, rich man, and her intended husband, it turns out, was being used for an evil purpose. Carly’s car breaks down in virtually the middle of nowhere. She has no money, a new identity, and no real destination. Along comes Wyatt Drummond, and a good portion of the book was easy to figure out when Carly and Wyatt met. Wyatt takes her to his hometown of Drum where murder and secrets are plenty. I found Carly incredibly likeable along with the friends she quickly made. Some of this felt just too good to be true, and the way the story ended, there are plenty of next installments ready to be written.
I finally got around to starting this series. Great first book; I listened on Audible. I always enjoy this authors books on audio. Good character development as we meet the townspeople, the crime and victims of Carlys new town. Looking forward to more!
We first met Carly through Rose and Neely Kate. I was happy to see her get her own book. I had a loy of questions about Carly.
Carly is on the run, but not from the law. When her car breaks down (really bad luck with cars) and forces her to stay in Drum, Tennessee. She tries to blend in and make the best of it. But then she sees a brutal murder. She can’t help wanting to find justice for Seth, While keeping everyone safe at the same time.
This is a great start to a new series.
The first book in the Carly Moore series, A Cry in the Dark, is actually a spin-off from the Rose Gardner series. It is not necessary to have read Rose’s series but I seriously recommend it because I love those books as much as I loved this book! One of my favorite things about Denise’s books is that she writes strong women who are not necessarily perfect, but they have a lot of heart. To me, they are realistic and relatable on some level and I absolutely love Carly. I also enjoyed all of the characters that are new in this series and I am looking forward to see where everyone’s story will go.
The mystery and suspense in this book was very well written and I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen while reading this story. There was quite a bit of drama and corruption that occurred in this book, which takes place in a small town in Tennessee. The book kept my attention throughout and the descriptions of the people and the area made it easy to imagine everything that was going on. It was also great seeing new friendships develop in this book as well as a bit of romance. I am excited to read the next book and learn even more about Carly and all the other characters.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s a spin off of my favorite series and this book might be my favorite right now. Carlys story is so intense and what she goes through in this book shows how kick ass she is. I might have to read this over a few times just because it was that good. I never wanted to put this book down.